Independently adjustable multiple data recorder

ABSTRACT

A data recorder having a carriage movable forwardly from a home position to an actuated position and return rearwardly to record data on a form from printing tokens. The carriage mounts two roller platen assemblies, each independently adjustable to adjust printing pressure, one platen to print on the forward movement and the other on the rearward movement.

United States Patent 1191 Brown Oct. 9, 1973 [54] INDEPENDENTLYADJUSTABLE 3,274,931 9/1966 Patterson 101/269 MULTIPLE DATA RECORDER3,661,080 5/1972 Laws 101/282 X 1,079,325 11/1913 Blue 101/269 InventoryAlbert Brown, Eastlake, Ohio 3,650,209 3/1972 A]lpOl't.... 101/2693,272,120 9/1966 Johnson 101/56 [73] Ass'gnee' ggziii x g'g gfia g1,305,778 6/1919 Cushing et a1. 101/269 [22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1971Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-E. M. Coven 21 l.1 App No 199626 Attorney-Russell L. Root et a1.

[52] US. Cl. 101/269 57 AB A [51] Int. Cl B411 3/20 1 STR F 581 Field ofSearch 101/45, 56,269, A data made havmg a carnage mvable fmwardly 101/270 273 274 from a home position to an actuated position and returnrearwardly to record data on a form from printing [56] References Citedtokens. The carriage mounts two roller platen assem- UNITED STATESPATENTS blies, each independently adjustable to adjust printingpressure, one platen to print on the forward moveg; g 16 32 ment and theother on the rearward movement. rot: or 3,260,199 7/1966 Huntley et a1.101/269 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED 9 73 SHEET 2 0F 2 [JJ JONESINDEPENDENTLY ADJUSTABLE MULTIPLE DATA RECORDER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to an imprinting machine, andrelates more particularly to a data recorder for imprinting charactersfrom printing tokens which have substantially different printingcharacteristics.

One very common form of data recorder is the type utilized by variousmerchants to record data from a customer's credit card. Conventionallythe credit card is put into the data recorder and a form is superimposedthereon. A platen is rolled over the form pressing on the credit cardusing an impression on the form in either machine readable code orvisual readable characters. Additionally it is often common toconcomitantly record information concerning the merchant making the saleand this is most often done by incorporating an auxiliary plate carryingthe requisite information which also will transfer the information tothe form when the platen roller is actuated.

It is now common practice to form the customer credit cards out of aplastic material. However, because of the much more repeated use of theauxiliary plate,

these plates have conventionally been formed out of metal which is muchmore resistant to deformation upon repeated usage. However, metal andplastic have different printing characteristics and each requires adifferent adjustment of the roller platen to obtain optimum ink release.The optimum ink release is especially critical in the case where machinereadable characters are printed since a very precise outline withinwhich uniform density printing must be maintained is necessary in orderto get accurate machine reading. Also, the metal plate is normallythinner than the plastic card, thus requiring shims to raise them to thesame printing height as the metal plate. These shims present a problemnot only in initial adjustment, but also in their propensity to becomelost in service. Hence the use of a single roller platen rolling over aform in printing engagement with both a plastic credit card and a metalauxiliary plate presents a very complex problem of trying to maintainthe proper printing pressure on both the auxiliary plate and the plasticcredit card in order to obtain the necessary print quality.

Such a relationship is further complicated by the fact that thereusually is a substantial number of lines being printed at the same timewhich means a rather high force is generated which has to be containedby a platen carriage. All of these factors often make it technicallyimpractical to utilize a single printing platen which will functioneffectively.

One prior art proposal for overcoming the difficulties encountered in asingle platen printing operation is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.3,272,120, entitled Address Printing Machines With Roller Platens in thename of Johnson. Basically this invention provides a pair of rollerplatens which are disposed in end to end relationship and which aremounted as a unit on an eccentric shaft. Rotation of the shaft in onedirection will bring one roller platen into printing contact with theprinting elements while simultaneously raising the other roller out ofprinting contact. Rotation in the opposite direction will bring theother roller into printing contact while raising the first roller out ofprinting contact. During the forward stroke of the machine the firstroller prints. At the end of the stroke the eccentric shaft is rotated,and the other roller prints on return movement.

This apparatus has been rather successful for many applications.However, in some applications, especially where very precise printing ofall characters is required, this device has not proved to be entirelysatisfactory. The main drawback to this device is that the printingpressure cannot be adjusted on each of the two rolls independently sincethey are secured together in end to end relationship and rotate as aunit to their two respective positions. Thus adjustment of the eccentricshaft will affect the printing pressure on both rolls and not each ofthem independently. It has been found that in certain instances it isdesirable and in fact satisfactory to have independent adjustment of therolls for obtaining accurate printed characters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A data recording device is provided whichincludes a bed for holding printing elements and the form to beimprinted. A platen carriage is provided which is movable forward acrossthe bed from a home position to an actuated position and return to thehome position in a printing cycle. First and second roller platens areprovided, and mounting means mount the first and second roller platenson the platen carriage for rotation axially offset with respect to eachother. The mounting means include actuating means to move the firstplaten into printing relationship and the second platen out of printingrelationship with the elements on forward movement and the second plateninto printing relationship and said first platen out of printingrelationship with the elements on the return movement of the platencarriage. The mounting means also include means to adjust the printingpressure applied against the elements by each roller platenindependently of the other roller platen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective partially exposedview of a data recorder according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the platen carriage;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the planedesignated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic representations of the action of the rollerplatens in the forward and reverse directions of travel and;

FIG. 6 is a plan view somewhat diagrammatic showing a three rollerplaten assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing andfor the present to FIGS. 1-5 one embodiment of a data recorder accordingto this invention is shown. As can best be seen in FIG. 1 the datarecorder includes a base designated generally as 10 which is providedwith a bed 12 on the upper side thereof which bed is adapted to supportprinting elements in the form of a credit card 14 and an auxiliary plate16. The bed also includes means to hold a form, shown in broken outlineand designated with a reference character 18, in superimposedrelationship over the credit card 14 and auxiliary plate 16 to receivethe printing. A platen carriage designated generally as 20 is providedwhich includes a cover 22 shown removed for clarity of illustration. Theplaten carriage 20 includes an inverted U frame 23 mounted to move intracks 24 from the home position, shown in FIG. 1 at the extreme lefthand of the bed, to an actuated position, at the right hand of the bed,and return to the home position or a printing cycle. The platen carriage20 also includes a pair of roller platens 28 and 30 mounted on saidframe 23.

The details of the mounting of the roller platens 28 and 30 are bestshown in FIGS. 1-5 to which Figures reference is now made. The rollerplates 28 and 30 are mounted on shafts 32 and 34 respectively whichshafts in turn are rotatably mounted on yokes 36 and 38 respectively.The yoke 36 is mounted on a pivot rod 40 extending between the legs ofthe frame 23 and the yoke 38 is similarly mounted on a similar pivot rod41, also extending between the legs of the U frame 23. The rod 40 ismovable vertically by being mounted in elongated slots 42 in oppositelegs of the frame 23. Also, similarly, the rod 41 is movable verticallyby being mounted in elongated slots 43 in opposite legs of the frame 23.Also, the pivot rods 40 and 41 are laterally spaced thus laterallyspacing the two roller platens 28 and 30. Further, the yokes 36 and 38are so mounted on the pivot rods 40 and 41 respectively that the rollerplatens 28 and 30 are longitudinally spaced with respect to each other,so that the platen 30 is positioned to coact with the credit card 14 tocause the printing therefrom whereas the platen 28 is positioned tocoact with the auxiliary plate 16 to perform the printing therefrom.Thus the mounting of the roller platens 28 and 30 is such that they arespaced laterally and longitudinally with respect to each other.

In order to adjust the height of the roller platen 30, and therebyadjust the printing pressure thereof, a pair of screws 44 are providedwhich are threadably engaged through the top of the U frame 23, andpivotally secured to the pivot rod 41. A pair of springs 45, undertension extend between the top of rod 41 and the underside of the frame23, surrounding the screws 44. Hence the coaction of the screws 44 andsprings 45 will raise or lower rod 41, thus changing the printingpressure generated by roller platen 30. A similar arrangement of screws46 and springs 47 cooperating with rod 40 provide for independentadjustment of the pressure generated by roller platen 28. v

The platen carriage 20 is also provided with a stop bar 48 extendingbetween the legs of the U frame 23 and positioned between the yokes 36and 38 as can be seen in FIG. 3. This will positively define a printingposition of the platens.

FIGS. 4 and show diagrammatically the printing function of the twoplatens upon movement of the carriage from its left or home positionshown in FIG. 1 to its actuated position at the extreme right of FIG. 1and then return from the actuated position to its home position.Referring now to FIG. 4 which shows the carriage movement from the homeposition to the actuated position; i.e., from the left to the right, theweight of the platen 30 and the mounting of its yoke 38 on the pivot rod41 causes the platen to normally pivot down and rest on the form on thebed. Upon movement to the right the pressure on the platen 30 caused bythe interference of the form on the printing plates will cause the yoke38 to pivot against the stop bar 48 which will hold the platen inposition to apply sufficient pressure to the form to generate a printingfunction.

Similarly, in FIG. 5 wherein the carriage is being moved right to left,the force generated will cause the platen 28 to be forced into printingengagement rolling over the auxiliary plate 16 with its yoke 36 inengage- 5 ment with stop bar 48 whereas the platen 30 will be pivotedout of printing engagement and will ride lightly over the credit card 14without additionally printing.

Thus it can be seen that inherent in the suspension of the printingdevice is the printing action of one platen upon movement in onedirection while the other platen idles whereas movement in the oppositedirection causes the other platen to print while the first one idles.

It is desirable in performing the printing function that each of theplatens pivot to an over center position; i.e., that the axis of theshaft on which the roller platen is mounted pivot past a plane normal tothe bed 12 and passing through the pivot rod (40 or 41) mounting theroller platen. This plane for the platen 30 is designated as P1 and forplaten 28 is designated as P2. As can be seen in FIG. 4 the center ofthe shaft 34 mounting the platen 30 is pivoted past plane Pl on the sideof plane P1 opposite the direction of travel. The same thing is true ofthe platen 28 with respect to plane P2 when the path of travel is in theopposite direction. This configuration is very desirable since it willtend to maintain printing pressure even if there is a non-uniformmovement of the carriage in either direction.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein a plurality ofthree roller platens instead of two is shown but utilizing two shafts.The three roller platens 92, 94 and 96 allow for a selection ofdifferent material consistency roller platens and also provide differentprinting functions in opposite directions. The mounting of the platensmay be as in the previously described embodiment. This particulararrangement is especially useful where there is large number of lines tobe printed which would cause extremely high or excessive forces andwhere different printing characteristics are required.

What is claimed is:

1. A data recording device for effecting the transmittal of data from aplurality of printing elements to a form, said device comprising:

a bed for holding the plurality of printing elements and the form;

a platen carrige connected with said bed and movable back and forthrelative to said bed along a path extending over the plurality ofprinting elements;

a first roller platen connected with said platen carriage and rotatableabout a first axis extending transversely to the path, said first rollerplaten being movable between a printing position in which said firstroller platen is effective to effect the transmittal of data from afirst one of the plurality of printing elements to the form duringmovement of said platen carriage in a first direction along the path anda nonprinting position in which said first roller platen is ineffectiveto effect the transmittal of data from the first one of the plurality ofprinting elements to the form during movement of said platen carriage ina second direction along the path;

a second roller platen connected with said platen carriage in atransversely spaced-apart relationship with said first roller platen androtatable about a second axis extending generally parallel to andtransversely spaced apart from said first axis, said second rollerplaten being movable between a printing position in which said secondroller platen is effective to effect the transmittal of data from asecond one of the plurality of printing elements to the form duringmovement of said platen carriage in the second direction along the pathand a nonprinting position in which said second roller platen isineffective to effect the transmittal of data from the second one of theprinting elements to the form during movement of said platen carriage inthe first direction along the path, said first and second roller platensbeing disposed in a spaced-apart relationship along the path of movementof said platen carriage with one of said roller platens leading theother of said roller platens during movement of said platen carriage inthe first direction along the path and with said other roller platenleading said one roller platen during movement of said platen carriagein the second direction along the path;

means for supporting said first roller platen in its nonprintingposition during movement of said platen carriage in the second directionacross the first one of the plurality of printing elements and forsubsequently enabling said first roller platen to move to itsnonprinting position, said means for supporting said first roller platenincluding a first longitudinally extending support element connectedwith said first roller platen and said platen carriage and having alongitudinal axis extending parallel to said first and second axes,

means for maintaining said first roller platen in its printing positionduring movement of said platen carriage in the first direction acrossthe first one of the plurality of printing elements;

means for supporting said second roller platen in its nonprintingposition during movement of said platen carriage in the first directionacross the second one of the plurality of printing elements and forsubsequently enabling said second roller platen to move to itsnonprinting position, said means for supporting said second rollerplaten including a second longitudinally extending support elementspaced transversely apart from said first longitudinally extendingsupport element and connected with said second roller platen and saidplaten carriage, said second longitudinally extending support elementhaving a longitudinal axis extending parallel to said first and secondaxes; and

means for maintaining said second roller platen in its printing positionduring movement of said platen carriage in the second direction acrossthe second one of the printing elements.

2. A data recording device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said meansfor supporting said first roller platen in its nonprinting position andfor enabling said first roller platen to move to its printing positionincludes means for enabling said first roller platen to move from itsnonprinting position to its printing position under the influence offorces transmitted to said first roller platen from the first printingelement and wherein said means for supporting said second roller platenin its nonprinting position and for enabling said second roller platento move to its printing position includes means for enabling said secondroller platen to move from its nonprinting position to its printingposition under the influence of forces transmitted to said second rollerplaten from the second printing element.

3. A printing device as set forth in claim 1 further including firstmeans for adjusting the pressure applied by said first roller platenagainst the first printing element during movement of said platencarriage in the first direction across the first printing element; and

second means for adjusting the pressure applied by said second rollerplaten against the second printing element during movement of saidplaten carriage in the second direction across the second printingelement.

4. A data recording device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said meansfor supporting said first roller platen in its nonprinting position andfor enabling said first roller platen to move to its printing positionincludes first drive means for moving said first roller platen from itsnonprinting position to its printing position, and wherein said meansfor supporting said second roller platen in its nonprinting position andfor enabling said second roller platen to move to its printing positionincludes second drive means for moving said second roller platen fromits nonprinting position to its printing position.

5. A data recording device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said firstdrive means includes a first eccentric connected with said first rollerplaten and said second drive means includes a second eccentric connectedwith said second roller platen.

1. A data recording device for effecting the transmittal of data from aplurality of printing elements to a form, said device comprising: a bedfor holding the plurality of printing elements and the form; a platencarrige connected with said bed and movable back and forth relative tosaid bed along a path extending over the plurality of printing elements;a first roller platen connected with said platen carriage and rotatableabout a first axis extending transversely to the path, said first rollerplaten being movable between a printing position in which said firstroller platen is effective to effect the transmittal of data from afirst one of the plurality of printing elements to the form duringmovement of said platen carriage in a first direction along the path anda nonprinting position in which said first roller platen is ineffectiveto effect the transmittal of data from the first one of the plurality ofprinting elements to the form during movement of said platen carriage ina second direction along the path; a second roller platen connected withsaid platen carriage in a transversely spaced-apart relationship withsaid first roller platen and rotatable about a second axis extendinggenerally parallel to and transversely spaced apart from said firstaxis, said second roller platen being movable between a printingposition in which said second roller platen is effective to effect thetransmittal of data from a second one of the plurality of printingelements to the form during movement of said platen carriage in thesecond direction along the path and a nonprinting position in which saidsecond roller platen is ineffective to effect the transmittal of datafrom the second one of the printing elements to the form during movementof said platen carriage in the first direction along the path, saidfirst and second roller platens being disposed in a spaced-apartrelationship along the path of movement of said platen carriage with oneof said roller platens leading the other of said roller platens duringmovement of said platen carriage in the first direction along the pathand with said other roller platen leading said one roller platen duringmovement of said platen carriage in the second direction along the path;means for supporting said first roller platen in its nonprintingposition during movement of said platen carriage in the second directionacross the first one of the plurality of printing elements and forsubsequently enabling said first roller platen to move to itsnonprinting position, said means for supporting said first roller platenincluding a first longitudinally extending support element connectedwith said first roller platen and said platen carriage and having alongitudinal axis extending parallel to said first and second axes,means for maintaining said first roller platen in its printing positionduring movement of said platen carriage in the first direction acrossthe first one of the plurality of printing elements; means forsupporting said second roller platen in its nonprinting position duringmovement of said platen carriage in the first direction across thesecond one of the plurality of printing elements and for subsequentlyenabling said second roller platen to move to its nonprinting position,said means for supporting said second roller platen including a secondlongitudinally extending support element spaced transversely apart fromsaid first longitudinally extending support element and connected withsaid second roller platen and said platen carriage, said secondlongitudinally extending support element having a longitudinal axisextending parallel to said first and second axes; and means formaintaining said second roller platen in its printing position duringmovement of said platen carriage in the second direction across thesecond one of the printing elements.
 2. A data recording device as setforth in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said first rollerplaten in its nonprinting position and for enabling said first rollerplaten to move to its printing position includes means for enabling saidfirst roller platen to move from its nonprinting position to itsprinting position under the influence of forces transmitted to saidfirst roller platen from the first printing element and wherein saidmeans for supporting said second roller platen in its nonprintingposition and for enabling said second roller platen to move to itsprinting position includes means for enabling said second roller platento move from its nonprinting position to its printing position under theinfluence of forces transmitted to said second roller platen from thesecond printing element.
 3. A printing device as set forth in claim 1further including first means for adjusting the pressure applied by saidfirst roller platen against the first printing element during movementof said platen carriage in the first direction across the first printingelement; and second means for adjusting the pressure applied by saidsecond roller platen against the second printing element during movementof said platen carriage in the second direction across the secondprinting element.
 4. A data recording device as set forth in claim 1wherein said means for supporting said first roller platen in itsnonprinting position and for enabling said first roller platen to moveto its printing position includes first drive means for moving saidfirst roller platen from its nonprinting position to its printingposition, and wherein said means for supporting said second rollerplaten in its nonprinting position and for enabling said second rollerplaten to move to its printing position includes second drive means formoving said second roller platen from its nonprinting position to itsprinting position.
 5. A data recording device as set forth in claim 4wherein said first drive means includes a first eccentric connected withsaid first roller platen and said second drive means includes a secondeccentric connected with said second roller platen.